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The USAFA Part-Day Enrichment Program, continued

Monthly themes

Each month throughout the year has a different theme, and classes, projects and trips are designed to center around that theme.

Photo: An instructor encourages painting by two children. Painting is a major activity.

 

January’s theme is, of course, winter, with cold-weather related activities including stories. The author of the month in 2002 was Ezra Jack Keats, who won the Caldecott Medal for his book “The Snowy Day.” Monthly activities include making a shaving cream snowman, ice painting and snowflakes.

February’s theme is “Focus on Community Helpers,” and activities include trips to the Post Office and Commissary, and a visit from the base dental clinic, with nurses who come in dressed to look like teeth.        
    “That’s a great photo opportunity for parents,” an instructor said, laughing. “Another photo op is at the end of the month when children dress up as ‘What I want to be when I grow up.’”

March’s theme is always the beginning of spring, but with spring break, it turns out to be a short month, in which everyone begins getting ready for the next month:

Photo: Two preschoolers pet a donkey on a spring trip.

April is National Month of the Military Child, and features many family activities including the Parents’ Appreciation Tea.

May is planting, with activities centered upon the PDE gardens. Seeds are started indoors and planted outdoors. The school year is brought to a big finish with Family Activity Days, featuring food and fun for two days.

June-July-August  See the Summer Program

September is “All About Me,” children’s new school and friends, and features an open house.

October is “harvest time,” and activities include Pumpkin Days with visits to Venetucci’s pumpkin farm, as well as Fire Prevention Week.

November provides another dress up activity with National Children’s Literacy Month, when children become classical literary characters. “No comic book characters!”

December concentrates on family traditions, with a Giving Tree, donations to the Red Cross shelter, and Gingerbread Boy cooking and play activities.